Gabriner, 33, was promoted from COO to president this month. He takes over the post from Sarah Fay, who was promoted late last year to president of Isobar U.S., the unit through which Carat Interactive reports to parent Aegis Group.

“Toby has done much to move the agency forward,” said Fay. Among his accomplishments as COO, a post he took in May 2003, was more tightly integrating the work of Carat Interactive’s five U.S. offices, all of which he now oversees as president, the agency said. In the last year, the shop has brought in $30-50 million in business from clients such as Gateway, Western Union and Kodak, an agency rep said.

About 250 employees now report to Cabriner from offices in San Francisco, where he works, New York, Boston, Los Angeles and Chicago.

“I think [the task now is] to continue to keep up with the rapidly changing market—to continue to expand services in alignment and not extend yourself,” Gabriner said.

Prior to joining Carat Interactive, Gabriner was president of Freestyle Interactive in San Francisco, where he helped develop a client roster that included Miller Brewing, Microsoft, Toys R Us and Showtime. Carat bought Freestyle in May 2003.

Gabriner has a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Occidental College in Los Angeles and dual master’s degrees in business and information services from Boston University School of Management.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Gabriner lives in the city with his wife and their 4-year-old son. He keeps busy with charities including the California Pacific Medical Foundation, where his wife is vp of development.